Karting standout Sting Ray Robb has joined the Mazda Road to Indy
The 15-year-old Idaho native will compete in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires with World Speed Motorsports for the 2017 season.
"Sting Ray has an impressive racing background," said World Speed Motorsports president Telo Stewart. "In addition to an incredible karting resume, Sting Ray ran a limited schedule with us last year in the Formula Car Challenge and is a proven winner. Sting Ray is ready for Pro Mazda and we are looking forward to helping him achieve his goals on the Mazda Road to Indy."
Robb has accomplished a lot despite his age. In his first full year of racing cars in 2016, a race winner in the Formula Car Challenge FormulaSPEED class who earned a podium finish in his first outing in the Pro Formula Mazda, was Skip Barber Winter Series Rookie of the Year and he became the youngest competitor in NASCAR K&N Pro Series History.
“From the earliest time I can remember, driving a race car has been my dream,” said Robb, who has won numerous major karting championships and world competitions. “Moving from karts to cars over the last two years has been a whirlwind as I've explored nearly every venue; everything from Corvettes to Pro Mazda, paved and dirt modified cars, as well as NASCAR Road and Oval Track cars. Racing under the tutelage of Telo Stewart at World Speed Motorsports in the FormulaSPEED during this past season was an awesome experience and provided some clarity for my future plans.
“As one of the youngest competitors in the Pro Mazda Championship, I know there is still a lot to learn and accomplish, a challenge I am very excited about. I do not take this opportunity lightly and pledge to diligently prepare mentally, physically and spiritually as the WSM team guides me through the next levels of open-wheel motorsport competition.”
Horton to contest USF2000 schedule
Chandler Horton made the most of an offseason job interview with RJB Motorsports.
Horton (left), who tested with the Michigan-based team during the Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October, was announced as RJB Motorsports newest driver in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda during the Performance Racing Industry trade show on Dec. 10.
“I'm really looking forward to joining RJB Motorsports,” said Horton. “They have been great to work with thus far, and it has been really exciting to see all of the new things being put in place this off-season. I'm really looking forward to being on the grid at St. Petersburg and having the opportunity to compete on the Mazda Road to Indy, a goal of mine really since I started racing."
Horton will drive RJB’s No. 20 car, a new Tatuus USF-17 chassis, in the USF2000 Championship class when the 2017 season kicks off on March 11 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Horton is a second generation racer who comes from a racing family. The 19-year-old native of Zionsville, Ind., grew up going to Indy carraces with his family as his dad, Jeff, is the Director of Engineering for INDYCAR. Horton is a veteran of go-kart racing and SCCA Formula Ford competition. He is also a member of Marian University’s championship-winning cycling team and is studying Business Management at the Indianapolis college.
"We are excited to have Chandler Horton on board for 2017,” stated Ryan Barth, owner of RJB Motorsports. “His ability to adjust to the car during testing was beyond his years and his ability to clearly communicate changing track conditions and the characteristics of the car will help us create s successful 2017 campaign.”